The government of USA published this Thursday The official list of countries that will be sheltered with the new tariffs that will impose from August 7according to the communication issued by the White House.
(See: The day arrived: Donald Trump signs order for entry into force of global tariffs)
On this occasion the US government maintained the tariff imposed on Colombia at 10%taking into account that the reasons for increasing the other commercial partners are based on the commercial deficit, that is, with those with which it matters more than exports.
After the announcement, The Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Diana Morales, confirmed that the provision establishes that Colombia remains under the application of the 10% general rate.
“Within this framework, technical approaches between the two countries aimed at maintaining commercial relations harmoniously and constructively continue. As a government, we will be attentive to any additional pronouncement that arises from the US authorities“The official said.
However, minutes after the publication of the new executive order signed by the United States government, which establishes additional tariffs for dozens of partner countries, a doubt between several Colombian exporters had been generated. The above for the writing of the literal “D” of the official document, with which it was not clear if the additional tariff that would apply to Colombia would be 10% or 20%.
(See more: The United States postponed increased tariffs to Mexico)
Pronouncement of the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism
In accordance with the Executive Order recently issued by the United States Government in tariff matters, this provision establishes that Colombia remains under the application of the general rate of the …
– Diana Morales R (@dianamoralesr1) August 1, 2025
On Thursday night the issue was being reviewed by unions such as the Colombian Chamber of Commerce (Amcham Colombia) and Analdex, to determine the repercussions of the measure, while from the government confidential conversations are maintained with the first commercial partner.
Despite these fears due to a possible 20%rate, Martín Ibarra, president of the Araújo Ibarra consultant, said that if a total overcharge of this percentage was imposed and Colombia failed to be excluded through a bilateral negotiation, The impact on several export sectors would have been unequal.
He even said that some industries would be even better positioned than direct competitors in the US market, While others would lose competitiveness in a significant way.
(Also read: Uncertainty, feeling towards tariffs with the US.)
Colombian flowers were 10% tariff. This is less than 15% that Ecuador will pay, the main competitor in the region.
Istock
One of the less affected sectors would have been oil and gold, which represent exports for almost US $ 7,000 million from Colombia. These products were expressly excluded from additional rates, which guarantees access without changes to the US market.
On the other hand, Colombian coffee, with sales for about US $ 1.3 billion a year, also is favored compared to Brazil, that is, that With the 10% confirmed by the United States, the competitiveness of the Colombian grain will be greater in front of this country.
Another product that gains advantage is floriculture. Colombian flowers, which generate annual exports for US $ 1.1 billion, were 10% tariff. This is less than 15% that Ecuador will pay, A relevant competitor that does not have a free trade agreement with the United States.
In the case of aluminum windows and steel and copper manufactures, which total more than US $ 600 million in sales to the US. There would be no changes, since these products already face a 50%tariff, which was not modified with the new executive order.
(Read: Trump announces that the increase in tariffs to Mexico is postponed 90 days)
There is a disadvantage with Avocado Hass since Mexico maintains tariff free access (0%).
Istock
Repercussions on other agricultural products
But where there is an indirect disadvantage is with the Avocado Hass, since the 10% tariff that Colombia will pay is a disadvantage against Mexico, which maintains tariff-free access (0%) thanks to its commitments in the T-MECsince the United States extended rates for 90 more days.
On the contrary, in the banana, where Colombia maintains 10%, There is an advantage against 15% that will apply to Costa Rica and Ecuadorother direct competitors of Colombia in that market. Colombian bananas exports to the US are around US $ 200 million a year.
(See: They suspend tariff exception to low -cost commercial shipments globally)
Diana K. Rodríguez T.
Portfolio journalist
